Target 'Respectfully' Asks Law-Abiding Citizens to Leave Guns at Home

On July 2nd, Target “respectfully” asked law-abiding citizens to “not bring firearms” in their stores.

The department store chain did this via an announcement posted on its website and shared by interim CEO John Mulligan.

The announcement says:

As you’ve likely seen in the media, there’s been a debate about whether guests in communities that permit “open carry” should be allowed to bring firearms into Target stores. Our approach has always been to follow local laws, and of course, we will continue to do so. But starting today we will respectfully request that guests not bring firearms to Target–even in communities where it is permitted by law.

By taking this step, Target joins Chipotle, Jack in the Box, Sonic, and Chili’s in asking law-abiding citizens not to carry guns in their businesses.

Within two weeks of asking law-abiding customers to come unarmed, two Jack in the Box stores were robbed, and a shooting took place at a third. Patrons were robbed at gunpoint in one of the robberies, as well.